We all have deadlines we must meet. We have bills to pay, responsibilities at work, children with school projects – all the innumerable small markers that push life forward.

When we realize we’re procrastinating, we need to be committed to not shaming ourselves. Procrastination is not an indication that we have failed. How realistic would it be if we looked forward to doing unpleasant things? It’s human to avoid what we’d rather not do.

As we free ourselves from the burden of perfectionism, we’re free to better accept our responsibilities. Meeting deadlines as well as we can, one at a time, pays off in serenity and a manageable life. When we are crisis ridden, we are forced to live by other peoples’ demands, rather than by our choices. In the face of procrastination, resentment, or perfectionism, we can turn to Step Ten for an inventory. We can forgive ourselves, try to laugh at ourselves, live in the present, and keep going. Today can be better than yesterday.

I may as well admit it – there’s probably something I’m avoiding. Is today the day to do it?